Is It Time To Ban The Isle of Man TT Races?

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No resentment at all, dont see too many bikers uo here tbh, and there is little traffic where I live in rural Scotland. I guess the shouting/abuse was in England somewhere, SE I expect?

Central Scotland!
 
As a keen motorcycle fan of all forms, I question how long it will continue for.

I don't think interest will ever die because of its history, it will be health and safety that stop it, or a massive hike in insurance costs. At the very worst of it is unable to obtain insurance it will die there and then!
 
As a keen motorcycle fan of all forms, I question how long it will continue for.

I don't think interest will ever die because of its history, it will be health and safety that stop it, or a massive hike in insurance costs. At the very worst of it is unable to obtain insurance it will die there and then!

I know the Isle of Man government are throwing some serious money at it to make it even bigger, l know there was initial talk of a series of races but that has been rejected but I know that they have worked very hard with the BBC on the broadcasting to raise it's profile even further.

I don't think it will stop in my lifetime.
 
You are right. The same broad question applies to parachute jumpers, out of condition 5K runners or Sunday league footballers, people who eat, smoke or drink too much, but there are a range of different issues applying to some of those. Smokers pay a large amount of extra tax and duty to the state for the privilege of smoking (see also drinking). Bikers don't.

Bringing money into the equation is ridiculous, I'm sure there are many business owners on the Isle of Man paying a large amount of tax, along with the wages of workers who are employed purely to maintain these bikes, tax paid when purchasing the bike, insurance premiums etc. I don't think the cost of treating bikers in hospital for the select few bikers who require it, compared to the total number of people involved, will come even close to costing the tax payer in the long run.

http://golf.heraldtribune.com/death-by-golf-ball-not-all-that-uncommon/

Life is full of dangers, well all take them into account when making a decision to do something, as it turns out golf isn't all that safe either.
 
Can't believe that "golfers" are calling for the end of the TT! What business is it of anyone's but the people who are risking their own lives?
These riders know the risks and many more people love to watch them pitting themselves against the track.
More people die from horse riding than the TT, so let's ban that as well!!!
 
Can't believe that "golfers" are calling for the end of the TT! What business is it of anyone's but the people who are risking their own lives?
These riders know the risks and many more people love to watch them pitting themselves against the track.
More people die from horse riding than the TT, so let's ban that as well!!!
It’s a forum, it’s a debate and you’ve resurrected a 3 year old thread and yes, you’re correct, no golfer ever, ever ever, is or was also a motorcyclist! :rolleyes:
 
Sometimes people need to be protected from themselves, especially younger men who are more inclined to feel invincible when running on adrenaline and may be egged on by their peers until it's too late, machismo/bravado screening real concerns.
These people (victims) are hitting immovable object like buildings and stone dykes at crazy speeds. Is that acceptable in 2019? If you saw that happen as a spectator it'd affect you all your life.
If you want to race motorcycles what's wrong with the more controlled and safer environment of a race track with gravel pits and ample slide space if you do fall off?
I appreciate Isle of Man is not in the UK but it's still a British territory I guess. Surprised it's still allowed.

However you get guys free rock climbing and that is just as dangerous I suppose. Horses I know little about except I'm not getting on one, poor horse wouldn't thank me either.;)
 
Just pointing out it is no one's business but the riders that take part, couldn't give a toss if they ride a motorcycle or play golf!
Except for the Emergency Services who have to pick up the pieces and clean up after the accident! Where’s their choice?
 
Sometimes people need to be protected from themselves, especially younger men who are more inclined to feel invincible when running on adrenaline and may be egged on by their peers until it's too late, machismo/bravado screening real concerns.
These people (victims) are hitting immovable object like buildings and stone dykes at crazy speeds. Is that acceptable in 2019? If you saw that happen as a spectator it'd affect you all your life.
If you want to race motorcycles what's wrong with the more controlled and safer environment of a race track with gravel pits and ample slide space if you do fall off?
I appreciate Isle of Man is not in the UK but it's still a British territory I guess. Surprised it's still allowed.

However you get guys free rock climbing and that is just as dangerous I suppose. Horses I know little about except I'm not getting on one, poor horse wouldn't thank me either.;)

Can't believe i missed this thread 3 years ago!

So for context, my dad used to race at the IOM TT on sidecars, so i basically had every holiday until i was 12 at the IOM. I have witnessed many people sadly lose their lives, saw a mate (not at the TT) racing go into the tyre wall, bike follow him in at about 70mph and it basically broke every bone from his hips down. He now walks again, just....

When i was 21 i started bike racing, did it for 4-5 years, never got to the TT which was a dream, but its tough debate, its easy to, i see to stand on either side of the fence, i am in the let them carry on camp, but i can respect the views of those whom think it should be banned. It is the most dangerous race in the world, but that's 75% of the challenge!

The scary thing is, the bikes are getting quicker and quicker every year and while leathers, helmets etc are getting better too, hit something at 150mph and you are most likely going home in a box. Yes they all know the risks though!
,
Would i do it now I'm married with kids?! No chance, i personally now see it as quite selfish to risk ones self for personal pleasure/glory when you could leave 2 kids with no mum/dad... But for viewing pleasure? there is nothing more exhilarating in the world. Especially there in person, my favourite watching spot was Rhen Cullen, where the bikes come directly toward you at 150mph plus, wheelie and turn a corner while you are 2meters away..
 
Except for the Emergency Services who have to pick up the pieces and clean up after the accident! Where’s their choice?

As a former Emergency Service worker dealing with precisely this sort of thing Paul, my choice was when I signed up. As the old saying goes, if you can’t take a joke you shouldn’t have joined.

To be honest I have a far bigger issue dealing with idiots riding in shorts and T shirts who could have prevented their own injuries but insisted on exercising their rights to dress inappropriately than I would dealing with the aftermath of a racing incident.
 
Definitely should be banned. There's no way the organisers can make the circuit safe on a par with the likes of Donnington and Silverstone. They can't even get the medics to crash sites in a reasonable time.

Plenty of the top riders, i.e. experts, won't race there.

Maybe it had a place in the sport when bikes were a lot slower but that was a long, long time ago.

I've not changed my mind from the above post 3 years ago. I rode my first bike in 76, and passed my test a year later. I rode from then right up until 3 years ago. I was that ar5ey idiot giving it large well into my 30's and rode pretty much just below that till I got rid of my last bike. I'm not anti-bike, far from it.

But the TT circuit is now seeing bikes running at speeds far in excess of when it first started. The bikes are better, safer etc but the med centre is still up to 10 miles away, not one mile away. I acknowledge and accept the risks at the likes of Donnington etc but the TT isn't safe enough for me.

I also accept its up to the riders but if a rider is contracted to one of the top teams, or is looking to make a name for himself and get a top ride what will he do?
 
As a former Emergency Service worker dealing with precisely this sort of thing Paul, my choice was when I signed up. As the old saying goes, if you can’t take a joke you shouldn’t have joined.

To be honest I have a far bigger issue dealing with idiots riding in shorts and T shirts who could have prevented their own injuries but insisted on exercising their rights to dress inappropriately than I would dealing with the aftermath of a racing incident.
I get that Richard, it’s an old thread, and without going over old ground, it’s an easy excuse to use the old “if you can’t take a joke” I also know full well from my own experience the horrors certain employments can face, it doesn’t always mean everybody in those roles can cope or fully aware of the realities and won’t be affected later in life.
You’ll know better than me sometimes it’s not only the casualty that suffers.
 
Ex competitive rider but we need to recognise that bike technology has developed so speeds are much higher and with little or no 'run-off' options the safety margin has reduced considerably. While I hope it will continue the fact that each year riders die probably suggests its had its day.
 
I read somewhere that around 300 people have died racing on IOM, including riders, passengers, spectators and marshalls.
That's a lot of coffins ............................. but they have been racing there for over 100 years.
I'd let them carry on, I love watching it and absolutely marvel at their skill and bravery/madness.
 
Crossing the road, I think that should be banned, have you seen the figures for deaths in crossing the road, bloody lunatics.
 
ye a bit like banning road racing :rolleyes:

Not really, people actively choosing to put their life on the line for "fun" isn't the same as people getting about because of necessity.

Doesn't mean said people shouldn't be allowed too (or not), but certainly merits a discussion. Unlike "should people cross the road"?
 
I get that Richard, it’s an old thread, and without going over old ground, it’s an easy excuse to use the old “if you can’t take a joke” I also know full well from my own experience the horrors certain employments can face, it doesn’t always mean everybody in those roles can cope or fully aware of the realities and won’t be affected later in life.
You’ll know better than me sometimes it’s not only the casualty that suffers.

Paul, we probably both have seen stuff we'd rather not remember and we both know full well that as much as people think they might be able to cope with some of this stuff they can't. Fortunately both our former employers have got better at recognising it and dealing with it properly. Whilst the old "if you can't take a joke" can come across as a bit glib, there was, certainly in my line, a lot of truth to it and I suspect that was the same in yours. Having said it's a bit glib, I stand by the sentiment; we both signed up knowing we wouldn't have full control over what we would have to deal with and in my case I was fully aware that the sort of stuff I'd deal with would be similar to the TT type incidents, and I think that would be the case for most if not all of those who deal with the TT. The riders certainly know and just as Brian's position hasn't changed, neither has mine. I've pushed bikes and cars hard on the public highway, but these guys are a number of levels above anything I ever did. They, as we were, are volunteers and I don't feel either the inclination or the necessity to ban it for their or anybody else's safety. And I appreciate that others will see it differently. (y)

The only thing that has changed in my position on the TT is that I need to take Mutley there sooner rather than later before someone decides to ban it. :(
 
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